Lions TE Joseph Fauria, here celebrating a touchdown against the New England Patriot in preseason, was among the undrafted rookies to make the final cut.

Allen Park — As the deadline for setting the 53-man roster came and went Saturday, it became increasing clear the Lions roster was anything but set.

For example, one of those spots went to running back and special teams leader Montell Owens, who is out with a knee injury. On Tuesday, the Lions will place him on the reserved-injured, designated for return list, which for at least six weeks will create one open spot.

Also, six receivers made the initial cut, with the last two spots going to Kris Durham and Micheal Spurlock. The Lions will presumably scan the waiver wire for upgrades there.

It would be unusual for the Lions to keep six receivers, even with Spurlock being primarily a return specialist.

The team is carrying nine defensive backs, one less than they typically carry.

So expect some more churning in the next few days. But for now, there were some quietly happy Lions Saturday night, especially undrafted rookies, tight end Joseph Fauria and offensive tackle LaAdrian Waddle.

Fauria’s spot on the team was assured when rookie seventh-round pick Michael Williams was placed on season-ending IR. He has a broken hand.

“Words can’t describe the joy in my heart from my hard work being rewarded!” Fauria tweeted. “ I will never forget this day. WUTTUP DETROIT, I’M A LION!”

Waddle not only made the team, he continues to push Jason Fox for the starting right tackle spot.

While there weren’t any major shocks among the cuts Saturday, there were some mild surprises.

Veteran defensive backs Ron Bartell and Amari Spievey, plus three players who were drafted in the last two years — cornerback Chris Greenwood, linebacker Brandon Hepburn and receiver Corey Fuller were among the players released.

Bartell, who started training camp as the starter at right cornerback, had fallen behind both rookie Darius Slay and recently-acquired veteran Rashean Mathis.

Spievey, a third round pick in 2010, started 26 games the last three seasons and he was never the same player after suffering brain trauma at the end of the 2011 season.

There are only three players left on the roster from the 2010 draft class (Ndamukong Suh, Jason Fox and Willie Young).

Also mildly surprising were the release of receiver Matt Willis, probably the most productive of those vying for the fifth receiver spot, and safety Tyrell Johnson, who had been getting a lot of first-team reps both on defense and special teams.

Spurlock won out over Willis, presumably, because of his ability to return kicks and play on the cover unit. Spurlock beat out undrafted rookie running back Steven Miller for the return job.

Johnson’s release and having only nine defensive backs could indicate the Lions might eventually add another player at that position. As it stands now, Mathis would be the fourth safety, as well as backing up at corner and nickel back.

Several of the young players cut Saturday could be re-signed to the practice squad Sunday if they are not picked up by other teams.

Greenwood, a fifth round pick in 2012, Fuller, a sixth round pick this year and Hepburn, seventh round pick this year, are all developing players the Lions would like to keep in the system.

Greenwood, who is 6-foot-1 and has run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, hasn’t been able to keep himself healthy enough to give the coaches a full evaluation. He spent his rookie season on IR with an abdominal injury and sports hernia surgery and he missed a lot of time in camp with a hamstring issue.

He played less than 40 snaps in the exhibition season.

Fuller is a converted track star and only played two season of college ball at Virginia Tech.

Hepburn may chose to pursue his real calling in life — his work in biochemistry. He interned with Dr. Robby Petros at North Texas University where breakthroughs were made in the treatment of cancer.

Nothing too unexpected. I don't think Durham/Spurlock are locks to be on the opening day roster, and it should be noted that we'll get another slot when Owens goes on short-term IR. Think you might see Miller come back when that happens.

It's a shame that we had to cut Greenwood and Fuller, but like I said, not unexpected. With any luck we can put them on the PS and give them time to develop.

_________________Jim Caldwell, on whether Jim Harbaugh is stealing his thunder: "Me? I don't have any thunder."

September 1st, 2013, 9:29 am

regularjoe12

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 3987Location: Davison Mi

Re: Lions: Final Cuts / Roster

I am very disappointed with keeping Edwards and cutting Willis. Willis was starting to look like a poor man's Steve Smith.

I think they are more likely to add another Special Teams guy like resigning Tyrell Johnson once Owens goes over to IR-DTR. They kept Riddick and already have a full line up of bodies at WR, absolutely no reason to add another tiny slot guy to the roster.

September 1st, 2013, 9:42 am

inheritedlionsfan

Team MVP

Joined: January 13th, 2006, 4:18 amPosts: 3401Location: Maryland

Re: Lions: Final Cuts / Roster

I may be alone on this but does anybody else thing it's dumb to waste our IR designated to return spot on a special teams Rb who won't contribute on offense?

The real season hasn't started yet and we only get to use that designation ONCE all season.

I may be alone on this but does anybody else thing it's dumb to waste our IR designated to return spot on a special teams Rb who won't contribute on offense?

The real season hasn't started yet and we only get to use that designation ONCE all season.

They aren't wasting it. They put him on the list of available players to use the exemption, but it doesn't mean they will use it on him. You can have multiple players on IR DTR but can only bring one back. At least that's been my understanding of the new rule. It would seem a little dumb to be able to only designate one player since injuries are a fluid thing and recovery can have setbacks.

Edit: Actually I may have been reading things wrong so they may actually be stuck with only him. I don't know if I'd consider it a waste since whoever goes on it will be out for a min of 6 weeks anyways. If they lost a big name like CJ for that long the season is over even if they came back 6 weeks later.

Last edited by rao on September 1st, 2013, 11:21 am, edited 1 time in total.

Edited to add: Even if you throw out the 3 oldest guys the average is still 26.95 and the median is 27.

September 1st, 2013, 12:48 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4030Location: WSU

Re: Lions: Final Cuts / Roster

QB - no surprisesRB - Riddick made the cut, I dont think his upside is all that great but he played ok in the preseason games. Maybe he makes a 2-3 year career for himself. Owens is holding a roster spot for someone.TE - I think they made the right move keeping Fauria, though I doubt he ll be active all that much. They ll use an extra tackle instead of a blocking TE in short yardage.WR - The Lions staff clearly is stubborn. Edwards is good in practice but did nothing in games, they are hoping it ll be dramatically different with Calvin in the game. How Kris Durham made it over Patrick Willis is anybody's guess. Yes he has size but he got plenty of opportunity last year and outside of one great one handed catch he showed very little, plus Willis is a good special teamer. Burleson is on the team at this point bc of money thats owed to him, he doesnt look like himself in the preseason. If there is an available WR who can return punts/kicks available in FA the Lions should sign that player and cut both Spurlock and Durham to open a roster spot somewhere else. Spurlock is a below average returner at this point but wont make the horrendous gaffes that Logan did a year ago but really few would. Fuller probably isnt better than other team's cuts so I could see them adding a WR outside the organization ahead of Fuller for PS duty.OT - Agree with the Lions selections but cant help but think that going into the 2014 draft we will be projecting Waddle as the RT, Reiff as the RG and hoping they take a LT.OG - Warford in my opinion only played adequately against second and third stringers. Jake Scott was clearly better than Leroy Harris but the Lions gave Harris a $200,000 signing bonus and that makes all the difference in the world. Scott should be the Lions starting RG and he s an upgrade over Peterman who s declining play they tolerated for the last 2 years at a fairly high salary. You would think they would keep Scott until Warford was more ready and eat the money they gave Harris. It doesnt make sense to keep the lesser of 2 veteran players bc the money is already gone anyway, it shouldnt change anything going forward. Instead Scott isnt even on the team and Warford will end up starting. How is that a win-now philosophy or a sign of a capable organization? I really have no idea. Harris can play Center also but it doesnt really matter bc Dylan Gandy is the backup center and is better than Harris at it. Scott like Daniel Thomas 2 years ago will get picked up somewhere else and be a solid starter, better than Warford.C - No surprises, Austin might be worthy of another year on the practice squad.DE - No surprises but I thought they might keep Ronnel Lewis over Willie Young but the Ansah injury means they will need Young's experience earlier in the season. Devin Taylor wont be active much if Ansah is healthy.DT - Like Bannan a lot but I really feel that all of the final DT cuts had more to offer than CJ Mosley, both right now and in the future especially Nwagbuo. But Mosley started for a crummy Jax team last year and the Lions gave him some money in the spring so he makes it instead. LB - Tulloch is clear NFL starter and is above average. Levy isnt worth his contract but is close to average in coverage and below average vs the run. After that the Lions have Whitehead and Lewis who both continuously made plays worthy of being cut throughout the preseason games with little to no improvement. Lewis isnt good enough athletically to be in the NFL, I always see him a step or two too slow, late and a little too long to get off blocks and cant keep up in coverage. Whitehead is still clueless about how to play LB especially in coverage and misses way too many open field tackles vs backup runners, receivers. McIntosh at least has an NFL history but he didnt look ready though he was in camp for only a short period. Surprised Chris White didnt beat out one of them. Palmer is below avg but far better than the backups. Very weak LB group, Mayhew should really be scouring the waiver wire at this spot bc I Adrian Peterson, Eddie Lacy and Matt Forte as well as the TEs are all licking there chops looking at this group.CB - Lions were lucky to find Mathis bc he was a better veteran corner to have than Bartell and has the versatility to cover the slot depending on how Bentley is doing, step in for Slay/Houston and even go over to safety. I think he saved them a roster spot and saved Wendling a job bc Tyrell Johnson did enough to make the team and is a better safety than Wendling. Green helps a little more right now than Chris Greenwood though Greenwood should be the better player long term. My money is that he comes back to the PS and that they probably have to put him on the roster at some point this season. Don Carey could ve had a better camp but at least he made the team.Specialists: No surprises but Zoltan Mesko was cut by New England. He s probably better than Martin and we could ve gotten him for just his salary. Lions cant keep there draft picks anyways. Akers figures to be a lot better than what he showed in 2013.

Outlook: Big changes on the OL but they are not better than a year ago. RBs clearly upgraded, even just by subtracting LeShoure from starting role. WRs slight downgrade from beginning of last year bc they never replaced Titus Young. Overall, Stafford's targets are about the same, adding Bush, losing Young and Broyles/Burleson accumulating injuries. DL should be slightly better based on improvements from Suh and Fairley, KVB retiring. LB crew is weak with no depth. Secondary is much better and the specialists are much better than a year ago though placekicking should be about the same. The defense should be an improvement, the offense will have its moments with more big plays but will probably struggle to sustain drives and protect leads. The Lions lost 3 games due to in game coaching decisions last year, its hard to say if that will change. Prediction 5-7 wins.

I am very disappointed with keeping Edwards and cutting Willis. Willis was starting to look like a poor man's Steve Smith.

i dont see the comparison with Steve Smith, Smith is a speed player with excellent agility and run after the catch ability. Willis to me is more like Jason Avant, a possession type who runs routes well and has outstanding hands with above average size.

Last edited by The Legend on September 1st, 2013, 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

September 1st, 2013, 3:09 pm

inheritedlionsfan

Team MVP

Joined: January 13th, 2006, 4:18 amPosts: 3401Location: Maryland

Re: Lions: Final Cuts / Roster

McIntosh was cut in favor of waiver claim Dejon Gomes formerly of the Redskins.